SCIENCE CURRICULUM 2-4

4.1 UNIFYING CONCEPTS ANDPROCESSES

Unifying concepts and processes help students think about andintegrate a range of basic ideas which builds an understanding of thenatural world.

4.1.1 Students will develop an understanding of systems, order,and organization.

3-S-4.1.1 Describe planetary characteristics andmovements. 

4.1.2 Students will develop an understanding of evidence,models, and explanation.

3-S-4.1.2 Construct a map of the solar system.

4.1.3 Students will develop an understanding of change,constancy, and measurement.

 Assessed in Math: 4-M-3.1a-f

4.1.4 Students will develop an understanding of form andfunction.

3-S-4.1.4 Create a simple machine.

4.2 SCIENCE AS INQUIRY

Science as inquiry requires students to combine processes andscientific knowledge with scientific reasoning and critical thinkingto develop their understanding of science.

4.2.1 Students will develop the abilities needed to doscientific inquiry.

4-S-4.2.1 Design and conduct an experiment to demonstrate thechange in a sound's pitch which occurrs when the rate of vibration ischanged.

4.3 PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Physical science focuses on the science facts, concepts,principles, theories, and models that are important for all studentsto know, understand, and use.

4.3.1 Students will develop an understanding of thecharacteristics of objects and materials.

2-S-4.3.1 Identify states of matter and explore how objects changefrom one state to another.
3-S-4.3.1 Demonstrate and measure changes in matter to show physicalvs. chemical changes.
4-S-4.3.1 Define and measure the physical properties of matter.

4.3.2 Students will develop an understanding of the positionand motion of objects.

3-S-4.3.2a Describe the relationship between force and motion.
3-S-4.3.2b Describe simple machines and define compound machines.

4.3.3 Students will develop an understanding of light, heat, electricity, magnetism.

2-S-4.3.3a Define heat and light as forms of energy.
2-S-4.3.3b Identify the physical properties of magnets.
3-S-4.3.3a Identify uses of electricity; describe safety precautions using electricity and discuss conservation practices.
3-S-4.3.3b Assemble a closed circuit.
3-S-4.3.3c Distinguish between reflection and refraction of light.
4-S-4.3.3 Identify ways heat can move (i.e., conduction, convection and radiation).

4.4 Life Science

Life science focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all studentsto know, understand and use.

4.4.1 Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of living things.

2-S-4.4.1a Identify plant parts (roots, stems, leaves) and theirfunction.
2-S-4.4.1b List the conditions necessary for plant growth.
2-S-4.4.1c Locate and identify hearts, lungs, brain, stomach, andintestines on a human body diagram.
3-S-4.4.1a Describe the needs of plants and animals.
3-S-4.4.1b Describe the function of the human digestive system.
4-S-4.4.1a Describe how stimuli affect the behavior of living things(e.g., plant photosynthesis and transpiration, and animal survivalbehaviors).
4-S-4.4.1b Identify parts of the skeletal system and describe theirfunction.
4-S-4.4.1c Identify parts of the muscular system anddescribe their function.

4.4.2 Students will develop an understanding of the life cyclesof living things.

2-S-4.4.2 Sequence the life cycle of a plant.
3-S-4.4.2 Identify and illustrate the major stages in the life cycleof specific animals.
4-S-4.4.2 Identify examples of inherited characteristics.

4.4.3 Students will develop an understanding of living thingsand environment.

2-S-4.4.3 List factors that contribute to the endangerment orextinction of certain animals in various cultures.
3-S-4.4.3a Give examples of plant and animal adaptations forsurvival.
3-S-4.4.3b Explain how environmental changes affect behavior andsurvival of living things.
4-S-4.4.3 Make a diagram of a food chain.

4.5 Earth and Space Science

Earth and space science focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all students to know, understand, and use.

4.5.1 Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of earth materials.

3-S-4.5.1a Identify the processes in the water cycle.
3-S-4.5.1b Identify the earth's surface features.
4-S-4.5.1 Identify characteristics of rocks.

4.5.2 Students will develop an understanding of objects in the sky.

2-S-4.5.2a Illustrate the movement of the earth, moon, and sun.
2-S-4.5.2b Identify various cloud formations (cirrus, stratus, cumulus).
3-S-4.5.2 Identify planetary characteristics and movements.

4.5.3 Students will develop an understanding of the changes inthe earth and sky.

2-S-4.5.3a Graph weather changes over a prescribed period oftime.
2-S-4.5.3b Use thermomenter readings to identify temperaturechange.
3-S-4.5.3c Give examples of forces that change the earth'ssurface.
4-S-4.5.3 Describe the processes which continually change and reshapethe earth's surface (e.g., erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes,geothermal energy, and plate tectonics).

4.6 Science and Technology

An understanding of science and technology establishesconnections between the natural and designed world, by linkingscience with technology.

4.6.1 Students will develop an understanding of technolgicaldesign.

3-S-4.6.1 Create a simple machine.

4.6.2 Students will develop an understanding of science andtechnology.

4-S-4.6.2 Identify tools that use scientific knowledge to solveproblems (i.e. beakers, graduated cylinders, scales, balances,microscopes.)

4.6.3 Students will develop an understanding of the abilitiesto distinguish between natural objects and objects made byhumans.

3-S-4.6.3 Classify an object as either natural ormanufactured.

4.7 Science in Personal and SocialPerspectives

A personal and social perspective of science helps a studentunderstand and act on personal and social issues. This perspectivebuilds a foundation for future decision-making.

4.7.1 Students will develop an understanding of personal health.

Nutrition
2-S-4.7.1a Identify and classify food of the food pyramid. (PE)
2-S-4.7.1b Describe healthy eating habits. (PE)
3-S-4.7.1c Identify where nutritious foods fit into the food pyramid.(PE)
3-S-4.7.1d List the daily recommended serving requirements. (PE)
4-S-4.7.1e Analyze his/her daily food intake using the food guidepyramid. (PE)

Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs
4-S-4.7.1f Describe how tobacco damages the body. (PE)
4-S-4.7.1g Make healthy choices concerning drugs and alcohol.(Counselor)

Exercise
2-S-4.7.1h Explain, and give examples of, the need for a balancebetween exercise and rest. (PE)

Hygiene
2-4-S-4.7.1i Identify specific habits of good personal hygiene (e.g.,keeping clothes, hair, body, teeth clean) (PE)

Individual Identity and Social Behavior
4-S-4.7.1j Develop group norms about social interaction that focus onestablishing a tradition of cooperation that excludes fighting,acting out, and other negative behaviors. (PE-All-Stars)
4-S-4.7.1k Apply scientific methods to the study of social phenomena.(PE-All-Stars)
4-S-4.7.1m Analyze collected data to correct faulty beliefs aboutbehaviors. (PE-All-Stars)
4-S-4.7.1n Demonstrate examples of behaviors that are appropriate(the norm). (PE-All-Stars)
4-S-4.7.1o Describe, in writng, his/her individual identity.(PE-All-Stars)

4.7.2 Students will develop an understanding of the types ofresources.

3-S-4.7.2 Identify resources by their source (earth, air,water), their uses, their availability, and problems and benefitsassociated with their use and disposal.) See Social Studies as well(renewable, nonrenewable etc.)
4-S-4.7.2 Assessed in 3rd grade and in social studies. 

4.7.3 Students will develop an understanding of environmentalchanges.

2-S-4.7.3 Name uses for, sources of, and ways to conserve waterresources.
4-S-4.7.3 Identify ways humans cause environmental changes (i.e.water, groundwater) 

4.7.4 Students will develop an understanding of how science andtechnology help communities resolve problems.

2-S-4.7.4 List, in writing, various ways recycling can helppreserve the earth.

4.8 History and Nature of Science

The history and nature of science illustrates different aspectsof scientific inquiry, the human aspects of science, and the role ofscience in the development of various cultures.

2-S-4.8.1 List facts about male and female historical scientificcontributors of various cultures after listening to biographicalselections. Seelist of Elementary Resources
3-S-4.8.1 Explain how science is used in a variety of careers.
4-S-4.8.1 List a variety of culturally diverse scientists and theircontributions. Seelist of Elementary Resources